Saltwater Aquarium Setup
Here we will provide a more in depth view into saltwater aquarium setup. Although the process might appear daunting initially, the rewards are huge. So don’t take the easy option and go for the freshwater tank, enjoy the journey to the beauty of a saltwater aquarium. Remember that whilst we provide an in depth overview of saltwater aquarium setup, there are professional services available to help you should you need assistance during the process.
Choose a Saltwater Aquarium
The first stage of saltwater aquarium setup is to choose the best location in your environment for your fish tank. There are several factors to take into consideration when choosing an appropriate location. Choose a location that will allow for optimum viewing of the saltwater aquarium, preferably somewhere that does not receive direct sunlight and will not be affected greatly by large changes in temperature. Remember you want to get this right as moving it later on is probably out of the question.
Saltwater tanks come in all shapes, sizes and materials. I will not go in to great depth however saltwater aquariums come primarily in glass or acrylic. Glass is less expensive however is heaver and prone to breakage and cracking. Acrylic is more common and can come in some really nice curved designs however careful as it scratches easy. Pick out a suitable stand and you are all set!
Although you may believe that a smaller saltwater aquarium will be easier to maintain, larger saltwater tanks allow for biological waste material to be dissolved in greater quantities of water, providing the saltwater aquarium with a safer environment for fish over longer time periods. As a general rule of thumb, a 55-gallon saltwater aquarium is the perfect sized starter for the beginner or where space comes at a premium.
Adding Water
The Saltwater aquarium is then filled with water that needs to be de-chlorinated (or treated via reverse osmosis), before being treated with a salt mix. Checking the pH balance (as well as the balance of nitrite and nitrate) is critical to ensuring that your fish will survive in the water of your aquarium.
Once the treated water has been added to the tank it is recommended that you run the complete system for a few days ensuring all components of your saltwater aquarium setup are functioning properly.
Equipment
A critical stage of saltwater aquarium setup is that your equipment is installed and performing correctly. Your equipment provides the 5 primary elements necessary in establishing and maintaining a well-balanced ecosystem. These essential elements include temperature, water movement, light, nutrients and water chemistry. The ideal temperature range for a saltwater aquarium is between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. If you find the temperature regularly averaging around 80 or over, the ecosystem will come under threat and such changes can greatly impact the health of the creatures within the saltwater aquarium.
You can navigate our website for more in depth information on the individual components of saltwater aquarium equipment.
Build your Reef
Once your saltwater aquarium setup has run successfully for several days, you can start building the foundation of your reef using substrate and live rock. It is also recommended that you add around 3 inches of live sand, which will mix with the sand bed to provide the eco system with essential nutrients and micro-organisms.
Live rocks are of great importance to the saltwater aquarium setup as they provide your fish a habitat similar to their homes in the ocean. Live rock is a sedimentary rock so it acts as a natural filter within your aquarium. Live rock also provides the essential organisms for ongoing water management and therefore allows you to enjoy your saltwater fish and other creatures for years to come.
Cycling
Once you have designed the aqua-scape of your saltwater aquarium, the next step in saltwater aquarium set up is to allow the tank to cycle. After all the hard work you have just completed, this can be one of the most difficult tasks, because it requires patience. Initially your new eco does not have the required bacteria for your creatures to thrive and survive. This is where the process of cycling comes in. Cycling is the process of developing and maturing the biological filtration within the tank. This process usually takes 3 to 6 weeks.
Adding Fish
The final stage of saltwater aquarium setup is adding fish. However do not get to excited here as there are many factors to take into consideration when adding fish. As fish are added the biological load of the tank is increased. Things must be added very slowly rather than all together as the aquarium can only accept so much at a time. This will allow the beneficial bacteria in your tank to increase to a level which can handle the new biological load and will not result in an Ammonia spike in your saltwater aquarium.
Taking a slow and steady approach when adding inhabitants will allow the aquarium, the water, and the natural filtration to adjust to the new load demand. It’s also important to remember, a new fish will require more food than usual, which in turn will increase waste, so ensure your filtration can keep up with this demand.
There is a lot to manage in the initial stages of saltwater aquarium setup; however, the results are that you’ll have a stunning and well-maintained aquarium in your home for all to enjoy for many years to come.